COVID-19 Resources
Community Care offers this page as a resource to guide health care providers to accurate and up-to-date sources of information. Please note content is updated multiple times daily. To suggest additional resources, email kwulfkuhle@communitycareks.org
Kansas Data
Positive Cases: 744,493
Deaths: 7,716
Hospitalizations: 18,491
MIS-C cases: 22
In photo: Health centers are determined to crush COVID-19.
FAQs
- HRSA
- Rural Health
- CMS Vaccine Mandate Interim Final Rule
- COVID-19 Funding
- COVID-19 Grantees
- COVID-19 Uninsured Claims
- LALs
- KDHE
- NACHC
- CMS, Medicaid and CHIP agencies
- Abbreviated CMS, Medicaid and CHIP agencies (from NACHC)
- KDHE, Isolation, Quarantine
- KDHE, Perinatal & Infant Populations
- Emergency Leave
- Dept. of Labor, HHS, Treasury on Families First Coronavirus Response Act
Safety Equipment/Supplies
- HRSA N95 Mask Program (1-25-22)
- Face Masks, including Surgical Masks and Respirators for COVID-19, FDA (11-24-20)
- PPE Planning Preservation Toolkit (10-22-20)
- Focused Infection Control Survey Tool (10-22-20)
- Understanding Respiratory Protection Options (7-9-20)
- Battelle N95 Decontamination Information (4-29-20)
- Battelle N95 Sample Services Agreement (4-29-20)
- Battelle Transportation Plan (5-5-20)
- PPE Procurement Form (4-3-20)
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Purchasing Guidance (4-30-20)
- PPE Burn Rate Calculator (from CDC, 3-27-20)
- Optimizing PPE Supplies (from CDC, 4-22-20)
- Temporary Guidance for Fit-Testing N95 Respirators (3-14-20)
- N95 Extended Use, Best Practices (3-30-20)
- N95 Limited Reuse, Best Practices (3-30-20)
- Optimizing Facemask Supplies (5-13-30)
- Mask Guidance, KDHE (5-15-21)
- Children and Masks (4-14-20)
- Optimizing Supply of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (11-3-20)
- Optimizing Eye Protection Supplies (4-30-20)
- Optimizing Isolation Gown Supplies (4-30-20)
- Optimizing Disposable Medical Gloves (10-25-20)
- PPE Cheat Sheet (5-12-20)
- Respiratory Protection Prioritization Cheat Sheet (5-12-20)
- Cleaning and Disinfecting Your Facility, CDC (11-15-21)
- Healthcare Facility Cleaning Guide (5-14-21)
- Management of Medical Waste (1-31-20)
- EPA’s Registered Antimicrobial Products (3-13-20)
- Supply Chain Challenges (Health Industry Distributors Association)
In the News
- 18 Kansas Health Centers Receive Infrastructure Assistance (9-28-21)
- Portions of Kansas Seeing Upturn in COVID-19 Variant, JC Post (7-7-21)
- Roll ’em Up … Show ’em You Care Events in June (6-9-21)
- All Kansas Health Centers Invited to Join Federal Vaccine Program, Press Release (4-8-21)
- 4 More Health Centers Added to Federal Vaccine Program, Press Release (3-26-21)
- Community Health Centers to Increase Vaccinations, Press Release (2-23-21)
- CHCs Ready to Vaccinate the Vulnerable But Crave Certainty, U.S. News & World Report (1-21-21)
- Atchison CHC Collaborating for Mass Vaccinations, Press Release (1-18-21)
- Flint Hills CHC Part of Vaccination Event, Emporia Gazette (1-17-21)
- Hunter Health to Start Vaccinating Native Americans, KSN (1-14-21)
- Four Salina Organizations Team Up to Provide Free COVID-19 Testing, Salina Journal (1-13-21)
- GraceMed, Shawnee Co. HD to Vaccinate Healthcare Workers, WIBW (12-31-20)
- Atchison CHC Assists Local School, Atchison Globe (12-24-20)
- Hunter Health Receives Vaccines, KSN (12-17-20)
- Salina Family Healthcare Purchases Mobile Test Unit, KSAL (11-30-20)
- Health Center Telehealth Services Receive Boost from State, Press Release (12-1-20)
- Clinics Push Back on Drug Program Changes During Pandemic, Topeka Capital-Journal (11-29-20)
- GraceMed Works Through Backlog in COVID Testing, KSN News (11-23-20)
- Insurance Loss Strains Wichita Health Care System, Wichita Eagle (11-16-20)
- Genesis Opens New Test Site in Garden City, Topeka Capital-Journal (11-16-20)
- Record-Setting Testing in Sedgwick County, KSN News (10-29-20)
- Why Community Health Centers are in Deep Financial Trouble, National Journal (10-26-20)
- KS Health Centers Receive Federal Grants for Exemplary Care Efforts, Topeka Capital-Journal (9-15-20)
- KHF Funding Helps Health Centers Provide Care (6-29-20)
- CHC of SEK Testing in Pittsburg (6-16-20)
- Impact of Coronavirus on CHCs, KFF (5-20-20)
- CHCs Struggling as Fewer People Seek Care During Pandemic, NPR (5-19-20)
- CHCs Stretched to the Limit, NY Times Magazine (5-6-20)
- Federal Law May Not Protect Uninsured COVID Patients as Hoped, KCUR (4-24-20)
- Konza Prairie Opens Drive-up Clinic, WIBW (4-21-20)
- Meeting the Challenge of COVID-19 Town Hall, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas (4-21-20)
- Heart of Kansas Expands Telehealth Services, Great Bend Post (4-18-20)
- Sedgwick County CHCs Establish Respiratory Clinics (4-17-20)
- REACH Foundation Donates $1.07M to Area Providers (4-17-20)
- KHF Donates $2.8M to Kansas FQHCs (4-17-20)
- Members Helping Members Spotlight, Kansas Association of Society Executives (4-15-20)
- Health Centers Approved for Federal Aid, Kansas City Star (4-7-20)
- Health Centers Face Cash Flow Shortages,
Press Release (4-1-20) - Did Not Expanding Medicaid Affect COVID-19 Response? Kansas City Star (3-30-20)
Screening/Testing/Vaccines
- FDA Approves Moderna Vaccine, KS-HAN (2-1-22)
- Isolation and Quarantine Release Graphic, KDHE (1-19-22)
- Compliance Deadlines for CMS Vaccine Mandate (1-14-22)
- Eligibility for Primary, Additional and Booster Doses (1-7-22)
- Reference Guide for Administration of All Vaccines (1-4-22)
- Vaccine Eligibility and Administration (1-5-22)
- At-Home OTC Test Kit Guidance, CMS (1-10-22)
- FDA Vaccine Booster Infographic (12-28-21)
- Isolation & Quarantine Guidance, KDHE (1-24-22)
- Outpatient Therapeutic Decision Aid (12-31-21)
- CDC Preferred Status to mRNA Vaccines, KS-HAN (12-17-21)
- Booster Dose Recommended for 16+, KS-HAN (12-9-21)
- Family Vaccination Site Playbook, We Can Do This (12-6-21)
- Therapeutics Clinical Implementation Guide, HHS (12-29-21)
- Therapies for Treating Mild-Moderate COVID-19, Side-by-Side Comparison (12-31-21)
- Provider Fact Sheet, Bamlanivimab, Etesevimab (12-2-21)
- Patient Fact Sheet, Bamlanivimab, Etesevimab (12-2-21)
- NACHC Toolkit on Federal Vaccine Mandate (1-14-22)
- COVID-19 Testing Policy, FDA (11-15-21)
- CMS Vaccine Mandate (11-19-21)
- CMS Vaccine Mandate Q&A (11-4-21)
- CMS Interim Final Rule Healthcare Staff Vaccination, Federal Register (11-5-21)
- OSHA Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard (11-4-21)
- KDHE Playbook for Employer Testing (11-4-21)
- Pfizer Vaccine for Ages 5-11 Authorized, Recommended, KS-HAN (11-3-21)
- Vaccinating Children 5-11, Q&A for Providers (11-4-21)
- Vaccine Preparation, Withdrawal and Storage (11-4-21)
- Vaccine Administration: Needle Gauge and Length (11-4-21)
- Standing Orders for Administration of Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine 12+ (12-1-21)
- Standing Orders for Administration of Moderna Vaccine (12-1-21)
- Standing Orders for Administration of Janssen (J&J) Vaccine (11-30-21)
- Interim Guidance for Maternal and Child Health Services, KDHE (10-26-21)
- Moderna Booster Wastage Tables (10-27-21)
- Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Monoclonal Antibodies, NIH (10-19-21)
- Provider Fact Sheet, Sotrovimab (10-27-21)
- Shelf-Life Extension, Bamlanivimab (10-27-21)
- Shelf-Life Extension, Etesevimab (10-27-21)
- Mandatory Medicaid/CHIP Coverage of COVID-Related Treatments (10-22-21)
- KS Vaccine Distribution Provider Manual (9-21)
- KS Vaccine Distribution Abbreviated Provider Manual (9-21)
- GoGetTested Kansas, State Testing Sites
- Pediatric COVID-19 Vaccination Operational Planning Guide (10-14-21)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Booster Shots Graphic (12-15-21)
- COVID-19 Pediatric Vaccine FAQs, KDHE One-Pager (12-15-21)
- HIPAA, COVID-19 Vaccination and the Workplace (9-30-21)
- HRSA Vaccine Booster Planning Checklist (9-28-21)
- Booster v. Additional Shot Playbook, HCAN (10-27-21)
- HRSA Vaccination Checklist, Ages 5-11 (10-20-21)
- KS-HAN Provider Message on Boosters (9-20-21)
- KS-HAN on Moderna, J&J Boosters (10-18-21)
- NACHC 2-Page Graphic on Vaccine Mandate (11-1-21)
- NACHC P&P Template on Federal Vaccine Mandate (11-17-21)
- Health Center Vaccine Mandates FAQ, NACHC (8-27-21)
- Vaccination Employer Guidelines, Community Care (9-3-21)
- Vaccination Employee Policy, Community Care (9-1-21)
- Vaccination Request for Exemption, Community Care (9-3-21)
- Additional Dose Attestation, KDHE Sample Form (8-19-21)
- COVID-19 Vaccination During Pregnancy, CDC Talking Points (8-11-21)
- COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage Process (5-28-21)
- Expired COVID Vaccine Guidance (5-28-21)
- Expired Doses and Wasted Doses (5-28-21)
- Vaccine Wastage Process for Providers (5-28-21)
- REGEN-COV Fact Sheet for Providers (5-24-21)
- CDC Vaccine Wastage Statement (5-12-21)
- Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheet for Providers, 12+ (11-19-21)
- Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients, 12+ (11-19-21)
- Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheet for Providers, 5-11 (10-29-21)
- Pfizer Vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients, 5-11 (10-29-21)
- Moderna Vaccine Fact Sheet for Providers (1-7-22)
- Moderna Vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients (11-19-21)
- Janssen (J&J) Vaccine Fact Sheet for Providers (1-11-22)
- Janssen (J&J) Vaccine Fact Sheet for Recipients (1-11-22)
- KDHE Vaccine Prioritization (1-7-21)
- COVID-19 Vaccination Plan, KDHE
Billing/Reimbursement
- NACHC Finance Toolkit for Health Centers (8-6-20)
- HHS Payments for Uninsured Patients, FTLF Analysis (5-13-20)
- HRSA Uninsured Program Provider Checklist (9-21-21)
- Claims Reimbursement for Uninsured Patients (4-22-20)
- Provider Relief Fund Payments for Services to Uninsured Patients, Analysis (5-4-20)
- Billing Guidance for Testing, Monitoring & Diagnosed Conditions
- Accelerated Advance Payments Fact Sheet (3-30-20)
- 2020 UDS Manual (6-16-20)
- FCC Telehealth Funding (4-13-20)
- Cash flow, payroll options (4-15-20)
- Payment Reimbursement Tips for CMS Virtual Communication Services (4-16-20)
- CMS Waivers for Healthcare Providers (4-16-20)
- Medicare Fee For Service FAQs (4-17-20)
- FQHC, RHC Flexibilities for Medicare Services (7-6-20)
Workforce/Licensure
- Licensing Options During COVID, KSBHA (12-30-21)
- ASPR Staffing Playbook, Addressing Shortages During Pandemic (11-19-20)
- Return to Work Policy Template for Employees with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 (7-9-20)
- KDHE Employee Health Screening Form (5-20-20)
- ASPR Workforce Virtual Toolkit (5-5-20)
- Mental Health Resources for Healthcare Workers (4-23-20)
- KDOL New Hire Report Form (4-22-20)
- KDOL Refusal to Work Form (4-22-20)
- Emergency Temporary Licensure from KSBHA (4-6-20)
- Emergency Leave FAQs (4-1-20)
- KDHE Plan to Reopen Kansas Business Guidance (4-30-20)
- KDHE Business, Employer Planning, Response (6-17-20)
- KDHE Workplace PSA Posters (5-29-20)
- CDC Business, Employer Planning, Response (5-20)
- CDC Employer Information for Office Buildings (5-29-20)
- Protecting Workers During a Pandemic (OSHA fact sheet)
Webinars/Training
Supplemental resources for our weekly roundtables are available to members in our Member Center.
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (10-22-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (8-20-20)
- Capital Investment Grant TA Call (7-24-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (7-23-20)
- Community Care HR Roundtable (7-23-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (6-25-20)
- Importance of Perinatal Oral Health (6-24-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (6-11-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (5-28-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (5-14-20)
- Community Care HR Roundtable (5-13-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (4-30-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (4-16-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (4-9-20)
- Community Care Telehealth Roundtable (4-2-20)
Telehealth
- KSBHA Telehealth Policy (6-11-21)
- Telehealth and Other Virtual Support Options, KDHE (5-20-20)
- Telehealth Impact on 2020 UDS Reporting (9-8-20)
- Rural Crosswalk: CMS Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 (8-20)
- NACHC Telehealth Implementation Resource Packet (8-6-20)
- KMAP 20046, Telemedicine Updates (6-23-20)
- CDC Guidance to Expand Access to Essential Services (6-18-20)
- NACHC Telehealth Implementation Quick Guide (5-14-20)
- HIPAA Compliance and Telework Guidance (4-27-20)
- HHS Telehealth Website (4-23-20)
- FQHC, RHC Guidance for Medicare Distant Site Provider (4-22-20)
- Connected Devices Product Information (4-20-20)
- Telemedicine Health Care Provider Fact Sheet (3-17-20)
- Telehealth and Health Center Scope of Project PAL, (1-27-20)
- Kansas Policy Changes Impacting Telehealth (4-24-20)
- Accelerated Advance Payments Fact Sheet (3-30-20)
- FQHC, RHC Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 (7-9-20)
- FCC Telehealth Funding (4-13-20)
- FCC Telehealth Funding, No More Applications (6-25-20)
- Virtual Case Management Considerations (4-16-20)
- Payment Reimbursement Tips for CMS Virtual Communication Services (4-16-20)
Policies/Procedures
- Increased Respiratory Virus Activity, KDHE Advisory (7-20-21)
- OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard, NACHC Highlights (6-29-21)
- Health Center COVID-19 Promising Practices, NACHC (10-19-20)
- ADA Return to Work Toolkit (7-23-20)
- Managing Operations at Healthcare Facilities, CDC Guidance (6-9-20)
- CDC Vaccination Guidance during Pandemic (6-18-20)
- RWJF Guide to Equity Post-Pandemic
- AMA Physician Guide to Reopening (5-29-20)
- Principles for Reintroducing Healthcare Services (5-29-20)
- CMS Adjustments to Innovation Center Models (6-11-20)
- Interim Guidance for Maternal and Child Health Services (5-26-20)
- Healthcare Facilities: Preparing for Community Transmission (4-30-20)
- Minimizing Infectious Disease Exposures in Healthcare Facilities (4-9-20)
- Guide for Outpatient Healthcare Clinics in Kansas (10-29-20)
- Preparedness Checklist for Transport, Arrival of Potential COVID Patients (4-30-20)
- Oral Health Kansas Resources for Reopening Dental Offices (5-5-20)
- Reopening Dental Practices, FTLF Analysis (5-18-20)
- ADA Interim Guidance for Emergency and Urgent Dental Care (4-15-20)
- Requesting Change in Scope PAL, (4-15-20)
- Requesting Change in Scope, Cheat Sheet (4-2-20)
- Requesting Change in Scope, Template (will download Word doc, 4-2-20)
- CDC Fact Sheets for Patients with translations
- FQHC, RHC Flexibilities to Fight COVID-19 (11-4-20)
Government/Funding
- PRF Returning Funds Fact Sheet, HRSA (12-6-21)
- Health Misinformation Toolkit, U.S. Surgeon General (11-10-21)
- PRF Post-Payment Reporting Requirements (6-11-21)
- COVID-19 Financial Impact on Health Centers, Capital Link (2-3-21)
- National COVID-19 Strategy (1-21-21)
- National COVID-19 Strategy Summary (1-20-20)
- NACHC End-of-Year Letter (12-23-20)
- Provider Relief Fund, NACHC Update (10-6-20)
- CDC Resources for CHCs (7-23-20)
- HHS Provider Relief Fund Reporting Requirements (7-22-20)
- HHS High-Level Summary CARES Act (6-16-20)
- NACHC Mega Spreadsheet
- COVID-19 Emergency Orders from Gov. Kelly
- Ad Astra: Plan to Reopen Kansas Framework (4-30-20)
- KDEM Kansas Reopening Map by County
- NACHC Requests for 4th Stimulus Package (4-15-20)
- FY20 Coronavirus Supplemental Funding for Health Centers
- COVID-19 Grantees FAQs (4-15-20)
- 3rd Stimulus Package (Full text, 3-26-20)
- 3rd Stimulus Package (CHC highlights, 3-26-20)
Background
The 2019 novel coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, is a virus strain that was newly identified at the end of 2019. An outbreak was caused by a novel (new) coronavirus first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Chinese authorities identified the new coronavirus, which has resulted in hundreds of confirmed cases in China, including cases outside Wuhan, with additional cases being identified in a growing number of countries internationally. The first case in the United States was announced on January 21, 2020. The outbreak spread across the country, and the world.
This is an ongoing investigation and information is changing rapidly. And the Coronavirus emergency is a reminder of the essential role Community Health Centers perform in ensuring the health and strength of our communities.
Community Care offers this page as a resource to guide health care providers to accurate sources of information at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and others.
What are the symptoms?
People who have been diagnosed with COVID-19 have reported symptoms such as difficulty breathing, coughing and fever that may appear in as few as two days or as long as 14 days after exposure to the virus.
In severe cases, infection can cause bronchitis, pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death. From what we know so far, illness seems to be more severe in older individuals and in people with other health conditions, although younger people are being affected as well.
If you have symptoms such as fever, cough or shortness of breath and have had contact or believe you have had contact with someone who has a laboratory-confirmed case of COVID-19, call your healthcare provider.
Better yet, just get vaccinated.
Who is at risk for COVID-19?
As the risk to the general public increased, stay-at-home orders, mask-wearing and the practice of social distancing proved effective. To minimize the risk of spread, health officials worked with healthcare providers to promptly identify and evaluate any suspected cases. Travelers to and from certain areas of the world still may be at increased risk. The same holds true for those visiting Kansas counties with community spread, although almost all have moderate spread at this point.
The virus is spread between people who are within about 6 feet of each other for at least 10 minutes through droplets from coughing and sneezing.
How can I avoid getting COVID-19?
The best way to prevent COVID-19 is to avoid being exposed to the virus. Take the following steps to minimize your risk:
- Get vaccinated.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water is not available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- If unvaccinated, distance yourself from others when in public, especially if you are a senior or have a medical condition that puts you in a high-risk category.
- Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when in public. Learn more about children and masks.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with an elbow or tissue.
How is COVID-19 treated?
There currently are 3 different vaccines approved in the United States under Emergency Use Authorization to protect against COVID-19 (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson).